Mixed Berry & Hint of Almond Paste Galette
This rustic dessert is perfectly simple and hugely delicious. It was kinda a group effort. First the idea came from a friend of mine (thanks Gayle), who put this together with her pate brisee, peaches, and almond paste (as a little taste surprise). It sounded amazing but since we weren’t into peaches we filled this richest of pie crusts with mixed summer berries and a homemade almond paste. Not to worry! All this whips up quickly. Rustic always lessens time involvement in my mind. We’re looking for something not necessarily picture perfect but rather delicious in a plain and simple way. Although, this is picture perfect to me.
You will need a food processor or Ninja (thanks Dan) for the almond paste. I suppose it’s possible without but definitely would involve time in pulverizing the almonds. It’s just not recommended. The pie crust can be done with a pastry blender easily. Let’s get started!
The moistest chocolate layer cake you’ll ever bake! Not too sweet and just the right amount of chocolate taste. So says my taste tester! What’s the secret? Sour cream and brown sugar add the amazing moisture, and the chocolate … use your very best unsweetened cocoa along with the best vanilla to achieve the just right taste.
Whether making dessert for 25 or 50, let me make it fast and easy for you. These two cakes made 48 generous slices. They could have been sliced a bit smaller making 30 servings per 1/2 sheet cake pan, 60 total. I love gatherings but used to get exhausted trying to do it all. I found not only is organization key but recipes that look and taste delicious with the least amount of effort are best when serving a large group. I do fall into the believers … deliciousness comes from not only the palate but the visual too. For these cakes I chose attractive gold colored half cake pans. I knew I wasn’t going to remove the baked cakes to another dish. Side by side, they looked lovely on the self-serve dessert table. If you wish to perfect this further, a la Martha Stewart, use a ruler when slicing the entire cake to give the eye the beauty of exactness, and use attractive, sterling perhaps, serving utensils.
Apples I didn’t want to go to waste. What a great choice if I do say so! The ingredients list is minimal … producing this beautiful and tasty cake. Oh yeah, have it for breakfast! Heavy with apples surrounded by a slightly sweet vanilla cake. Try it today!
These are the best! But don’t take my word for it … Bake them up today! Chewy Buttery Good … not too flat, not too thick, just right. I’m using the new Nestle Dark Chocolate Morsels. Make sure you try this recipe with your favorite chocolate chips. This way you’ll be able to taste test the best chocolate chip oatmeal cookies you ever ate. Seriously Good! Just can’t say it enough and I’m a chocolate chip cookie aficionado. If you’re into chocolate chip cookies with a touch of oatmeal and like the chewy variety these are for you!
Lemon is my flavor of choice for the last weeks. It really isn’t random. I have a houseguest who’s into lemon cakes, breads and cookies. And I love to see someone enjoy a favorite. This recipe is a revision of James Beard’s Huckleberry Cake. First, huckleberries are hard to find and I’ve substituted blueberries, a similar berry. But most importantly I’ve added a big lemon taste!